Patients’ Charter is to list service users’ rights and responsibilities when receiving services from Accredited Dietitians. It also cover responses that can be taken by service users when inappropriate actions by Accredited Dietitians are observed.
Rights of service users
Responsibilities of service users
Be treated with respect and fairness and receive services without discrimination of any types, such as age, sex, culture, ethnicity, religion, political belief, sexual orientation, health status, etc.
Attending appointments on time, notifying the dietitian or relevant personnel as early as possible if service users are unable to keep the scheduled appointment
Receive services that supported by current scientific evidence based knowledge and/or practice guidelines and be able to understand the information in order to make informed decisions
Ensuring all documentation, such as referrals and results from doctors or healthcare professionals, are given to the dietitian
Participate in decision making relevant to health of service users and seek opinions and/or services from other dietitians or other healthcare professionals if needed
Providing sufficient and truthful information, such as eating pattern, portion sizes, physical activity, present health, past medical history, and any other relevant details, to allow the dietitian to make an accurate assessment
Grant, withhold or withdraw consent to any services at any stage and to be informed of the likely consequences of doing so
Not expecting the dietitian to provide services beyond their scope of practice
Raise any concerns and have the concerns being addressed
Not requesting the dietitian to provide incorrect information, receipts, certificates, or any other documents
Have information relating to them kept confidential. Unless permission granted from service users or when law requires release, information pertaining to service users will not be released to others
Understand that service users need to take responsibility for their own health, and follow the agreed intervention or recommendations
Receive a copy of the results of any tests and analyses conducted
Paying accounts, if any, in a timely manner
Receive information on itemized account detailing fees and charges
Complain without any fear
When the HKAAD dietitian has acted inappropriately, service users can take the following actions:
Voice your concerns to the dietitian. Most issues, especially misunderstanding, can be dealt with thorough communication.
If communication fails to deal with the issue or the matter is serious, service users may speak to their supervisor, or make a complaint to the HKAAD. The HKAAD can only act on complaints about the HKAAD dietitians. Anonymous complaints cannot be accepted.
